ALBANY, OR, US
U.S. Marine Corps
LCPL, 3D BN 5TH MAR, (RCT-2, I MEF FWD), 1ST MAR DIV, CAMP PENDLETON, CA
10/13/2010, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Marine Lance Corporal Joseph E. Rodewald was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting mounted operations in support of Enduring Freedom in Helmand province Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Rodewald was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. The unit was based out of Camp Pendleton. Lance Corporal Rodewald was twenty-one years old. He and three of his combat brothers were killed in this explosion on October 13, 2010, just thirteen days from his twenty-second birthday.
The South Albany, Oregon Marine, played high school football, wrestled, and was a team leader. He was also a track-and-field athlete. He was an outstanding teammate who encouraged other people to do their best. His leadership by example is what many who played sports with him will remember. His love of sports also included a strong, idolized the University of Oregon football program. The affection for the university’s ball program developed easily as Joseph grew up in a small community very near the university. He was easily known as and voted as the “Most Devoted Duck Fan” by his senior high school classmates.
When he graduated from South Albany High School several years ago, he was such an avid fan of the UO football team that he was voted “Most Devoted Duck Fan” by his senior class. Family and friends know how excited Joseph would have been that UO Head Football Coach, Chip Kelly attended Joseph’s final farewell honors.
Joseph Rodewald enlisted in November 2007. This was his first combat deployment. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. His family told the Albany. Joseph was engaged to be married.
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